Updated Thursday, March 20, 2008

Phil Ortego lost until relationship found him

By Norman Jameson

BR Editor

Phil Ortego came from a world filled with rituals, risk and religion, but rarely relationships.

A Louisiana Cajun, the pastor of fast-growing Scotts Hill Baptist Church in Wilmington, and second vice president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC), knows from what the grace of God saved him.

His world contained the drugs, drink and gunshots that parents pray their children avoid.

"I was an altar boy," said Ortego (pronounced OR-te-go). "I knew a lot about religion but nothing about relationship."

As a high school senior in 1977 he attended a Baptist church to appease a friend, and - if he was lucky - to get a date.

"When the pastor began to speak about Christ and my sin, I knew right then if I died I'd go to hell," Ortego said during an interview at his church. When Ortego left the church that night he had a new relationship with God and a date with Cindy Babcock.

His parents opposed Ortego's new life and faith, but he committed to "live for the Lord" in such a way they would see the difference. Twenty-five years later he baptized them both in the Hebron Baptist Church baptistery in which he had been immersed.

Real world preacher

This background gives Ortego a gritty awareness that helps him relate to people outside the church. "I did sheet metal work for 10 years," he said. "I know what the guy on the street is like. I know what he thinks."

Ortego, 48, graduated in 1987 from Southeastern Louisiana University with a degree in industrial management technology. Called into ministry halfway through his education he figured the Lord could use that training. With all the building at Scotts Hill, that feeling was prophetic.

He graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1990 and was called as student pastor to New Covenant Baptist Church in his hometown of Denham Springs, where he had been interning. After two years he took his first pastorate, in Graceville, Fla., where "God taught me how to love people and how to choose your battles wisely," he said. The church quickly grew from 70 to 250.

When his friend, who was pastor of Scotts Hill, asked Ortego to join him on staff, it was a tough decision, but he came as student pastor in 1994. Two years later his friend left under difficult personal circumstances, and the church asked Ortego to become just its third pastor.

Ortego has been married 22 years to Chris and they have children Ryan, 17, and Leslie, 14.

The family is physically active and fit. They run, ski, fish and hunt, carrying on traditions Ortego grew up with around the bayou. Ortego says he and Chris run "for holiness."

"If our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and we're to be stewards of our bodies, the issue is not that I should be in shape to look good," Ortego said. "I want to be in shape to honor God."

Scotts Hill is going to create a ministry through two professional trainers in church to help members get in shape and Ortego is going to challenge members to lose a yet undetermined number of pounds "for the glory of God."

Transitioning church

Scotts Hill, just north of the new loop around Wilmington on a country road a half-mile off Hwy. 17, has transitioned from "a traditional church to a purpose-driven church without a fight," Ortego said. "We committed to operate on the principle of God's word and not by our preference. As a result God brought tremendous healing to this body and God gave a very clear vision to these people."

Worship is not a single Sunday event but "the collection of the corporate body magnifying God together as a result of having walked with Him during the week," said Ortego, who describes Scotts Hill services as "a celebration, not a funeral." All age spectrums are joining Scotts Hill and "we need that" because effective communities "have multiple generations," he said.

Scotts Hill built a $4.5 million commitment to that concept in its Cross Point Center on the back edge of campus. Its decor says "renovated warehouse" with exposed pipes, polished cement floor, 40 computer screens for work and games, a basketball cage, small band stage, arcade games and upholstered furniture. It shouts "wow" loud enough to make any of the 300 students eager to bring a friend.

At one end is a room for up to 400 people to view church services simulcast from across the campus. At first considered "overflow," now 225 members choose this venue for worship and when they bring a visitor, they come here. This is their small church in a big church context.

It's a more relaxed venue, although Ortego has not worn a coat and tie in church in a year.

Ortego believes if the church is to encourage its young people to avoid certain areas and activities, it should provide a healthy alternative.

As powerful a statement as Cross Point Center makes, the "wow" factor is just a tool to attract students. It lasts two or three weeks, after which only content will keep them and help them grow into Christian life, Ortego said.

Scotts Hill is a regional church and Wilmington is moving its way. Its reputation for ministry that transforms lives draws people in a way the best marketing never could.

"When people's lives are impacted by the gospel they tell their friends," Ortego said. "Word of mouth has been far more effective than any commercial we could ever create."

Scotts Hill has adopted communities in Africa, Ecuador, Ukraine, India and Nepal. They strongly support missions through the Cooperative Program and support several non-Southern Baptist Convention missionaries. "We have international missions because it's biblical," Ortego said. "When Jesus said, 'You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and to the ends of earth' He called us to be a people who make a difference at home, in our country, and to the continents."

"The central focus of Christ was to save a lost world," Ortego said. "If we are to seek and save the lost, missions doesn't take place inside the four church walls. As I serve my brothers and sisters in Christ, I become like Jesus in my servanthood ... our missions flows out of obedience to the Lord, a passion to be like Christ and a desire to see others experience the grace we have received."

Missions mandate

Scotts Hill has grown by 1,000 members in six years, to 2,600. With $2.6 million in undesignated receipts, the church commits 10 percent to missions outside its own walls. It is the largest supporter of the Wilmington Baptist Association, whose director of missions, Leland Kerr, is a BSC officer with Ortego.

Ortego was on the search committee that selected Milton A. Hollifield Jr. as its candidate for BSC executive director-treasurer. That service acquainted him with other Baptists who sacrificed time in their love for North Carolina Baptists, and he was encouraged to find a way to serve further.

While at age 48 Ortego is not "young" he still brings more energy and dark hair to the leadership bench than typically resides there.

"Serving is an opportunity for me to bring a little youth to this Convention," he said. "And I can help develop future leaders by encouraging young pastors and their staffs to get involved."

Ortego is "not a political person in any way," but simply wants to "serve in a way conducive to honoring God and His word and doing the best we can to reach people for the cause of Christ."

He sees "great days ahead," for North Carolina Baptists.

"While there is the reality of past struggles," he said, "there is an even greater desire to move beyond those for the glory of Christ."